The Iola register., 1887-12-23

last ton DAYS; his apparent neglect ol
the stern anil uncompromising super
vision Of all the acts and movements
of his wife and slaughter. which he had
enforced figidly all, the ten years oI
their residence in Sandtown. together
with Bucks suspicious comment, camt
upon me with the irresistible force Oi
conviction. Undoubtedly the man
must be insane! Then how much
greater the need that shonld at once
take charge Of the daughter. II ever
there could he tinc that she would
need my protection and advice and
support in and through. said. proudly
to myself. now is that time. If ever
there was the possibility Of an oppor-
tunity for me TO redeem the promises
that l had made to her hy implication
and to myself by multiplied direction,
no,C was that time.
Full of these thoughts. and prcpos-
sessed with the correctness of my con-
clusions upon all the points involved,
it was with vastly more than my usual
self-asscrtiOn-or lack of it, rather =
that pushed my way round the outer
edge of the admiring and highly-enter-
tanned circle to the spot just back OF
the station occupied by the shief object
of my thoughts and my purpose.
l remember in that brief interval
how with amazing celebrity thought
over the whole field of what was to be
the next err, of our lives. The mar
riage; the necessary residence II: my
fathers house until l could choose a
location and make start in my pro.
fessiOn; the energy and tirclessness
that could and would put forth in
this first bout with the actual world,
with the burden of wife upon my
hands; and this and all other burdens
lishtened by our overwhelming and
enduring love for one another. A
pleasing subject, dashed with little
of the anxiety and uncertainty pertain.
ing to such subjects in their very nat
ure-but pleasing. first and last.
When under the stimulus of the
thoughts here briefly outlined l had
pushed my way to the side Of the OBJ
ject of nv sOlicitu,le the remarkable
dance of the mad landlord and his
crew had come to a climax, in which
the dancers formed in two lines with
swOr,i-arms extended above their heads,
the points touching and forming an
arch of steel under which Bogus Lenth-
crwood marched toward the door.
At the instance of his emergence
some one ran into the room and spoke
rapidly and in 4 low voice. The Judge
instantly walked forward in great and
visible agitation.
II told you, Leatherwood. ] tried tc
put you on your guard" / heard the
judge say in half angry tones that rem
dcred almost unin,clligible every thing
he said.
"is the entry door fastened?" Bogus
asked. without looking at the Judge OF
needing him in the least. Another
proof of his insanity. if any more were
needed. did not hear the reply. for
the wind and rain began now to beat
upon the sides of the house with mo-
mcntarily increasing volume and force.
'.He won't make move in sich
night rs this. Jo!'' said the landlord, in
his usual loud positive manner as he
stroIe back and locked the door lead.
ing to the kitchen. The Judge fol-.
lowed.
.'Have You forgotten all about him.
sah!' said the judge. in fury. ''Den't
you know he'd pick this night out of
Il hundred.
LET him. said Bogus. distlainfully.
and walking back toward the entry
with the judge following at his heels.
You kin git ready to dance now ci
you wan. to. fcilcrs." he continued,
raising his voice so rs to be heard
over the noise of the wind and the
rain. There were some half-heartetl
responses. and took .Polly's arm rs
her father and his companions filed
ont into the entry and on up the stair
way.
'.Isn't this dreadful. Il whispered. Il
couldn't think Of dance'n ut such
time" Polly started and looked at
me with wide-opcn eyes.
'.You have heard it, thcn!" she al
most gaspcd.
Il only knowed it certain this even
un. But I've ben
II supposed Buck couldn't help tell
ing you all about it. And wanted
this very chance to talk to you. Can't
we get somewhere so as not TO be
bothered with other people all round
us? Our rooms are full of-of those
men. of course. But we can get to the
may be. without getting
wet. Did hc-did Judge Barks go out
with the rest? Yes. l know hc did.
Come on. and we wiil-bus this door
is locked and the key gone! Who
locked it," She was in such furry of
excitement that she ran here and
there about the room in complete be-
Out in the entry could hear the
voice Of Judge Barks in loud and vehe- |
ment rt&lOnstrancc. and that of Bogus
Leathcrwood in an. angry growl of de-
tiant reply.
live done MI l uvver agreed TO do
with goa in this theng. Now. that's
all I'm u go-un to do, too. You kin
settle on Ma.. An theys no use s.
wastun any more words about ut.
You've gut 'er, haint yuh? l thought
she was all You waAvnted? l didn't
know you wawnted the manage'n Nv